To enact sections 1541.032 and 3701.18 of the Revised Code to require the Director of Health to sample and test waters of the state under the control of the Division of Parks and Recreation in the Department of Natural Resources to determine whether bacteria or other contaminants exceed safe levels and to require the Chief of that Division to post warning signs at public beaches and other recreation areas if safe levels are exceeded.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Sec. 1541.032. UPON RECEIVING NOTIFICATION FROM THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH UNDER SECTION 3701.18 OF THE REVISED CODE THAT THE LEVEL OF BACTERIA OR OTHER CONTAMINANTS IN A BODY OF WATER UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE DIVISION OF PARKS AND RECREATION EXCEEDS A SAFE LEVEL, THE CHIEF OF THE DIVISION OF PARKS AND RECREATION SHALL HAVE SIGNS POSTED AT ANY PUBLIC BEACHES OR RECREATIONAL AREAS ADJACENT TO THE BODY OF WATER WARNING THE PUBLIC OF THE UNSAFE CONDITION.

Sec. 3701.18. THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH PERIODICALLY SHALL TAKE SAMPLES AND CONDUCT TESTS OF THE WATERS OF THE STATE UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE DIVISION OF PARKS AND RECREATION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES UNDER CHAPTER 1541. OF THE REVISED CODE TO DETERMINE WHETHER BACTERIA OR OTHER CONTAMINANT LEVELS IN THOSE WATERS EXCEED LEVELS BEYOND THOSE THAT ARE SAFE FOR SWIMMING OR OTHER HUMAN RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY APPLICABLE LEVELS OR GUIDELINES ESTABLISHED BY THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY. THE DIRECTOR SHALL ESTABLISH TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE ACCURATE SAMPLING AND TESTING OF THOSE WATERS. IF THE DIRECTOR MAKES A DETERMINATION THAT THE LEVEL OF BACTERIA OR OTHER CONTAMINANTS IN ANY SUCH BODY OF WATER EXCEEDS A SAFE LEVEL, THE DIRECTOR SHALL NOTIFY THE CHIEF OF THE DIVISION OF PARKS AND RECREATION.